Artists: Fat Creeps, Radio Control, Wet Nurse, Vacation, ExPlanetsDate: Friday, September 14, 2012Venue: Starlab (Somerville, MA)Comments:Act I: ExPlanets– Let me start off by saying, how nice it is to be back in the Starlab! This is KLYAM’s second time here, with our last venture being wayyy back in April 2011- seeing The White Wires from Ottawa, Canada. Great show! I love the look of the Starlab- arcades, couches, and Boston Counter Cultural Compasses hanging around to boot! Check out the KLYAM plug in this month’s compass btw, thanks again guys! http://www.bostoncccompass.com/ The basement itself has to be one of the nicest looking basements I have ever seen. So when the ExPlanets start their set I am feeling pretty good, remembering the fun times I had hear about a year and half ago. For the first few minutes of the band’s set the lights are on, which seems kind of odd, because I have never seen a band perform in a fully lit basement, an intriguing sight, I suppose. The lights begin to dim and everything is back to normal, so to speak. ExPlanets are fun to watch and their sound (at least tonight) reminds me of the aforementioned White Wires as well as the legendary garage rock band The Spaceshits. And no I am not just name dropping Canadian bands I know! They share similar pop sensibilities as these bands, but with a louder, faster delivery. In any case, I plan on further exploring the work of the ExPlanets. http://explanets.bandcamp.com/

Set List:
Can’t Wait (3 Count)
All You Want
Punch Line
Don’t You
Close The Door
Gutter Blind
Not Going Away
Mary
Free To Go
Wrapped Up
Catching Up
Talk About It

Act II: Vacation– Vacation voyaged all the way from Ohio and I am applauding them for making the trek to Boston for this evening’s show. They are a solid band, a lot of fun actually. The spirits amongst the attendees seems to increase during their set as people pogo and chant along to their catchy pop drenched punk tunes. Everyone is having a gay olde time and then suddenly the lights go out and the room is pitch black. I can’t see anything. Next, I hear the words “HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!” The lights flicker on and one of the Vacation’s guitarists is plastered with a nice l’il birthday cake. Happy Birthday! Fun set! http://vacation.bandcamp.com/

Act III: Wet Nurse– Florida’s Wet Nurse is the perfect band to follow Vacation and ExPlanets, for they share their predecessors’ taste for balls out, rock ‘n’ roll fun! Their songs are short and catchy; straight to the point, no filler, the way it should be. They definitely appeal to the garage side of me, which is a large chunk of my musical tastes as if this web site could not be further evidence of that. As I am writing this now I am listening to Wet Nurse’s latest offering, Daily Whatever and I am totally digging it! Check it out here: http://wet-nurse.bandcamp.com/

Act IV: Fat Creeps– The one and only Fat Creeps, one of my favorite bands. NO WAY REALLY?!! I can only imagine someone that visits this site frequently must be thinking that. SHUTTT UP! Anyway, before I drift, it is cool to see these Creeps in a basement again, since I usually see them perform at clubs/bars, I appreciate the change of setting, it’s good to switch things up. Tonight, the trio opens with “Horoscope,” a fine tune from the Fat Creeps EP released last month and a fan favorite at that. Most of the set contains various Creeps classics like “Secrets,” “Nancy Drew,” and my personal fave “700 Parts.” In addition to these vintage tunes, the band unleashes some fresh material in the form of the relatively new “Dad Weed” and a totally new song I am not familiar with at all. Then, the group starts to play a song that seriously fucking rocks and I think to myself “damn, this new Creeps song sounds like The Stooges.” As soon as I recognize the lyrics I realize it is in fact a cover of The Stooges’ “I Wanna Be Your Dog.” Impressive cover to say the least. Speaking of old school punk, my favorite moment in their set is the mini trivia session held in between songs. Vocalist/Bassist Mariam Saleh announces that they are giving away a free beer to anyone that can name Joey Ramone’s real name. Without any hesitation I holler “Jeffery Hyman!” Naturally for providing the correct answer Mariam prestents me with a delicious Narragansett. Thanks again! Moral of the story, go see (and listen) to the Fat Creeps and you can one day be a winner just like me. http://fatcreeps.bandcamp.com/

Act V: Radio Control– This fun filled evening of no bullshit punk rock and roll is capped off by one of Somerville’s sweetest bands, Radio Control. Radio Control is Matt (vocals/guitar) and Kristina (vocals/drums) and together the two create a mish mash of garage, post-punk, and undeniable pop hooks. I hear a lot of The Replacements, especially in Matt’s vocals. In many ways their music feels like it’s a full band, at least to my ears. This is the second time I have seen these cats, with the first being an epic show at the Great Scott on April 2 of twenty twelve, opening for Hunx and His Punx and Heavy Cream. Great show! I dug the pair that time, but this show is even better. An excellent way to close tonight’s festivities.

P.S. RC are super cool people and it is a pleasure to have made their acquaintance, hope to see y’all in the near future! Keep on rockin! http://weareradiocontrol.com/